Film Riot!

Here's a link to a useful set of videos to help you with your coursework. 

Learn how to shoot and edit your films, music videos and ads guerilla stylee with Film Riot over at their YouTube page.

Thanks Dan for the heads up!

Mr. M.

A2: Australian Government adds Wikileaks to list of banned websites...

Short article about the Australian government's decision to add the website 'Wikileaks' to its list of banned websites!

http://www.techradar.com/news/internet/australian-government-adds-wikileaks-to-banned-website-list-585894#ixzz16e93gJ1F

I didn't even know they had a list of banned websites. Makes me ask the question: Does our government have a list of banned websites? Worth looking into me-thinks!

How do different countries compare on their regulation of the World Wide Web?
Who has the right to regulate it?
Is the WEB taking the place of Video Games in the age old argument over 'effects' and the impact on Media to do good/bad?
What are the implications of political websites like 'Wikileaks' being targeted in this way?

[Update] Wikileaks is banned in school. Should it be?

Get to work!
Mr. M.

AS: Weekly Challenge - 3

Weekly Challenge 3: Editing: What is a "graphic match (or match cut)".

There are many famous examples of this technique. Therefore, I expect all of you to provide both an explanation and example. Try to not offer up the same example as everyone else.

Good luck!
Mr. M.

Guest Blogger!

For the first time ever Media @ CCC is going to feature blog posts from a guest blogger. Having already shared some useful links, Sophie Lowden has signed on to add musings, ideas and links to the blog. 


I think this is going to be an exciting new feature and hope that you all enjoying discovering more about media, film and animation through Sophie's unique insight.


Welcome Sophie, the students and I look forward to your first post! :-)

AS: Key Concepts and the Language of the Moving Image

Thanks to our friends at Ringwood School for the following excellent resources about the key concepts of Media Studies and Moving Image Language.

Key Concepts: http://mediastudiesringwood.blogspot.com/2010/11/key-concepts-basics.html

Language of the Moving Image: http://mediastudiesringwood.blogspot.com/2010/11/film-terms-techniques-shots-lighting.html

Enjoy!

AS: Weekly Challenge - 2

This weeks challenge is inspired by Ellie Biddle's response to Weekly Challenge - 1.

Weekly Challenge 2: Editing: What is 'parallel editing'? [Challenge] Find an example clip to illustrate your point.

Answer by commenting on this post. Due: Friday 26th November.

AS/A2: Anatomy of a Scene: 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1'

Sophie thought some of you would find this useful. David Yates, director of the latest HP movie, discusses some of his film making techniques.

Click here to view!

This could be you! #2

Caroline Jackson graduated from CCC in 2008 having achieved a stunningly high A grade in Media Studies.

A thoroughly engaging young lady; she set off for Sheffield University to study Journalism and now finds herself a dissertation shy of graduation and the world of work.

I stumbled upon a blog she has been keeping; offering her musings on fashion, music, and anything else that takes her fancy. Her written word has a unique sense of irony and a deeply aesthetic vocabulary. 

Check it out here: Dressing up with Caroline Jane.

A2: Cover Work 4 Mr. M.

1. In my absence today (Friday 19 November), please continue to work on researching and planning your ancillary texts. Be sure to have blogged all of the work that you have completed.

I will review your progress during Monday's lesson.

2. Read through the following blog posts:

http://emilyjeanprescott.blogspot.com/2010/02/album-covers.html

and

http://andrewjohnsona2media.blogspot.com/2010/01/codes-and-conventions-of-short-film.html

What makes this post effective? Is there anything that this student has done that could help you improve your posts?

Be prepared to discuss these blog posts and your own postings during Monday's lesson.

"Free of Advertising"

Interesting post about the invasive nature of advertising:

"free of advertising" by leo babauta - mnmlist.com

This could be you!

For the second week running I received an email from an ex-student.

Sophie graduated from the Chalfonts in 2008 completing courses in Media Studies and Art. Her passion was animation and she went on to study it at UWE in Bristol. She has produced some fantastic work which you can view on her blog.

She is now in her final year working on her final project.

She says: "I'm personally now living in a student house with three other animators who have had a profound effect on my work. We're all now working away on our final films so I've barely had any time to take a breather but I know that it's going to be a success if I put my mind to it!"

It was fantastic to hear from Sophie and find out that she is doing so well. I wish her all the success in the world and just think, this could be you in the near future!

AS: Weekly Challenge - 1

This is the first in a series of weekly challenges to help develop and broaden your understanding of the moving image. Please respond to the following question by commenting on the post.

Weekly Challenge 1: Editing: What is compressed time? Please answer the question and [challenge] if you can provide a link to clip that demonstrates it in action. Answers are due in by Friday.

A2: Y13 ILP Day

Dear all, please make sure you use this time wisely. You will have computers, cameras and other materials available during the day. Mr Ford will be with you and can offer support as well as an alternative perspective on your project.


I think that it is an excellent opportunity for most of you to focus on the research and planning of your ancillary texts. Here is a reminder of what you need to produce for each brief:


A promotion package for the release of an album, to include a music promo video, no longer than five minutes duration, together with:

• a cover for its release as part of a digipack (CD/DVD package)
• a magazine advertisement for the digipack (CD/DVD package)

A promotion package for a new film, to include a teaser trailer, together with:

• a film magazine front cover, featuring the film
• a poster for the film

An advertising package for a new product or service, to include two TV advertisements, together with

• a TV programme sponsorship sequence
• a web pop-up

A short film in its entirety, lasting approximately five minutes, which may be live action or animation or a combination of both, together with:

• a poster for the film
• a film magazine review page featuring the film

Haydn and Lauren, can you both, please use the time to catch up with creating your storyboards/animatic and publish them on your blogs.


Do make the most of the extended time and have fun!


Mr. M. 

AS: The Use of Colour in Film

Here is an email I received from Andrew, an ex-student, now studying film at University, that I felt was worth sharing with you all:

Hey Sir,

Whilst doing some research for Uni I came across this great blog post that explains/shows the use of colour in Film. To save you from reading the whole thing it basically tells you about how Ridley Scott reversed the conventions of colour use in his movie Black Hawk Down and the effects it has in the audience. The thing I found most interesting was the colour chart towards the bottom of the post. Comparing the relationship between what each colour represents and where they are predominate in the narrative is very interesting. In my opinion the colours match very closely to Todorov's narrative theory. 

http://www.outside-hollywood.com/2009/03/color-theory-for-cinematographers/

Just though you might find it interesting as well as your A-level classes!

Regards,

Andy

---

It's great to hear from students who enjoyed studying Media and have carried on doing so at University. One day this could be you! In the mean time, go check out the website - it should be very helpful as you plan your thriller openings.

AS: Coursework Focus - Continuity Task

Year 12 - The next two weeks are focussed on completing your "Continuity Task" - one of the key features of your coursework assessment.


Below are the key dates and deadlines.


Monday 1st November - Basic Video Training - Room 72 with Mr. Michie
Thursday  4th November - ILP Day - 9:10 to 3:40 - Room MU3 with Mr Michie

• Planning
• Storyboarding
• Filming - of your Continuity Task

Independent Study Time - Complete filming and editing of your Continuity Task - The HUB is always available!
Friday 12th November - P7 - Arrive with your completed Continuity Task ready for teacher/peer assessment - Room 72 with Mr Ford